Week 14 – Tharindu’s 198

This week we’ll lead with the 2s. They were away at Theale & Tilehurst 2s. Jason Carr won the toss and elected to bat. After the early loss of Arup Vidyerthy for 5 – it was one way traffic – from Howard Green 72 not out but the plaudits go to Tharindu Denipitiyage’s 198 – run out looking for his double century. This set up a score of 299 for 2 declared in 45.2 overs. The declaration was important in the end as Theale & Tilehurst batted it out for 51.4 overs before being bowled out for 206. Jason Carr took the bowling plaudits with his fourth 5 for of the campaign and Nikesh Patel and Andy Murray picking up 3 and 2 wickets respectively.

The 2s are now 42 points clear at the top and face Cove 3 at home.

The 1s were at home to Fleet 1s. Nick Sweetman won the toss and elected to bat. Ascot collapsed to 49 for 5 but James Wensley who was dropped on 0 and Will Ellison put on 155 for the 6th wicket with Wensley scoring an excellent 119 and Ellison 41. Some late wickets saw Ascot declare on 209 for 9 in 46.5 overs.

Fleet were soon in trouble at 20 for 4 with wickets from Will Ellison and Kevin May. Some middle order resistance from Stilwell, Watkins and Ashfield saw them recover to 100 for 6 but then collapse to 107 all oiut in 30.1 overs. Will Ellison the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 45.

The 1s are now top of the table after Thatcham were defeated and are away to Finchampstead 3.

The 3s were at home against Maidenhead & Bray 3. Richard Wyatt won the toss and elected to bat. Solid contributions all round saw Ascot reach 240 for 6 declared in 46 overs. Cameron Allan 58 and Murray Barter 57 top scored, Maidenhead & Bray were soon in trouble at 50 for 5 with Marc Ames (3 for 33) and Sam Burling (2 for 68) doing the damage but then a whirlwind partnership of 179 for the 6th wicket by A Nimba (92) and Amit Giri (83 not out) saw Maidenhead & bray breeze to victory by 4 wickets in the 38th over.

Despite the defeat, the 3s are still top by 18 points and face a trip to Wokingham 4s.

The 4s were away at Bagshot 3s and Ralph Weeks won the toss and elected to bat. The innings was dominated by a 3rd wicket partnership of 133 between George Payne (108) and Dirk Benneyworth (65) which saw Ascot reach 243 for 6 in 47 overs. Bagshot 3s went for the win and their innings was built around James Balcombe’s 110. But with wickets falling at the other end Bagshot comfortably held out for the draw finishing on 212 for 8 in 43 overs.

The 4s go back up to 5th place and are at home to Reading 4s this week.

Another rollercoast week for the teams as we now enter the final 4 weeks of the season!